Adland Rockstars: Kartik Smetacek

This week's Adland Rockstar is: Kartik Smetacek, senior creative director, Publicis Ambience

Why did you get into advertising?
While I was still in college, I did a short stint as a summer trainee in McCann Erickson, Delhi. All they ever did was play games, chat, flirt with the girls and go out for long beer lunches. I knew instantly I had found my calling.

What is the best thing about your job?
As a creative person, I think it's the ego massage you get when a good piece of work is released and distant relatives call to tell you you're brilliant. Of course, if it's terrible, I say the client interfered.

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what is that one thing you would like to have with you?
This one's easy: a satellite phone. I'm not a beach person.

What is the one book you can read any number of times?
The only book I've read more than once is The Catcher in the Rye. I think it vibes with some kind of repressed anarchist in me.

Who is the one person in advertising you’d like to have dinner with?
David Droga. He's always been a hero of mine and what better occasion to ask him for a job.

Who is the one person outside advertising you'd like to have dinner with?
I'm considering Woody Allen or Bob Dylan or Milan Kundera, but in the spirit of 'you only live once', I'd have to say Salma Hayek.